Jamaica heads to Women’s World Cup knockouts for first time ever, Brazil crashes out

As the group stage at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup winds down, Wednesday proved to be yet another dramatic day at the competition.

The Reggae Girlz from Jamaica earned historic qualification to the knockouts, sending Brazil crashing out of the tournament. While France beat Panama 6-3 in a high-scoring affair in Sydney.

Here are more of the headlines from the day’s action down under:

Brazil’s Marta, the record scorer in World Cup history and veteran of six tournaments, spoke after her team bowed out of the tournament following a scoreless draw against Jamaica:

“But it is only the beginning. The Brazilian people asked for renewal, and there is renewal. I think the only old one here is me, and maybe Tami (Tamires) following. Most of them (teammates) are young girls with enormous talent, who have a great path ahead of them. It’s just the beginning for them. I finish here, but they continue,” she added.

As for her future, the 37-year-old said, “There is no more World Cup for Marta. I am very grateful for the opportunity I had to play one more cup, and I am very happy with everything that is happening with women’s football in Brazil and in the world. Keep supporting because for them it is only the beginning. For me it is the end of the road.”

On Wednesday, Jamaica sent Brazil home with a stunning 0-0 draw that earned the Reggae Girlz second place in Group F and a place in the knockout rounds. Brazil finished third in the group.

More on Marta’s legendary status: Marta, now 37 is considered by many – perhaps even most – to be the greatest female footballer of all time.

She has won the FIFA Player of the Year award an unprecedented six times – no other women’s player has won it more than three times – including five years in a row from 2006 to 2010 and is Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer, male or female, with 115 goals.

She has also lifted the Champions League, the Copa Libertadores and was awarded the Golden Boot and Golden Ball for top scorer and best player at the 2007 World Cup. In 2019, Marta became the first male or female player in history to score at five World Cups and her 17 World Cup goals are an all-time record in men’s and women’s football.

Brazilian striker Marta, now 37, has concluded what will be her sixth and final World Cup, is considered by many – perhaps even most – to be the greatest female footballer of all time.

On Wednesday, Jamaica sent Brazil home with a stunning 0-0 draw that earned the Reggae Girlz second place in Group F and a place in the knockout rounds. Brazil finished third in the group.

Prior to the tournament Brazil’s all-time record goal scorer said this would be her final World Cup appearance for her country.

Read more about Marta’s legendary career here.

Jamaica manager Lorne Donaldson said his team’s historic Women’s World Cup qualification is “one of the best feelings I’ve had in my life.”

The Reggae Girlz reached the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time in the country’s history thanks to a gutsy draw against Brazil, a game which Donaldson called a “war.”

The result, coupled with the other Group F game between France and Panama, meant it advanced as runner-up and will face the winner of Group H in the next round.

And Donaldson was full of praise for his players afterwards.

When asked how he planned to celebrate the momentous achievement, Donaldson – who said he had already completed a cartwheel – said he would keep it lowkey this evening.

It looked a bit shaky at the beginning, but France overcame any issues to book its place in the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup with its 6-3 victory over Panama.

Marta Cox’s stunning free kick put Panama up early on, but France recovered quickly by scoring five unanswered to take control of the match.

Kadidiatou Diani was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick to become the first female French player to do so at the World Cup.

Panama did give its fans something to cheer for late on with a late flurry of goals, bringing about wild scenes of jubilant, dancing celebrations.

Vicki Bècho’s late goal completed the goal fest as France topped Group F where it will now face the runner-up of Group H.

The game might be ticking down to the final whistle, but France isn’t resting on its laurels just yet as Vicki Bècho makes the score 6-3 in the 10th minute of added time.

The 19-year-old steered home a cross from close range to add gloss to an impressive victory.

First, it was South Africa. Now, it’s Jamaica.

The Reggae Girlz are the second team of the day to earn qualification for the knockout stages for the first time ever following a 0-0 draw against Brazil.

It also means Jamaica is the first Caribbean nation to ever reach the knockouts — something few would have predicted happening ahead of the tournament.

All of the Jamaican squad and coaching staff are out celebrating on the pitch, some of them in tears.

Brazil’s players, meanwhile, look shell-shocked — none more so than captain Marta, who has just made her final World Cup appearance. This is the first time in 28 years that Brazil has failed to get through the group stages.

They may be going home, but Panama’s players are enjoying their final minutes at the Women’s World Cup.

Lineth Cedeño’s header from close range has the whole Panama squad dancing in celebration with the scoreline at 5-3.

After a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) check, the dancing begins anew when it’s eventually given.

Was that the last time we’ll see the legendary Marta at the Women’s World Cup?

She’s substituted off for Andressa with 10 minutes remaining in Melbourne, potentially meaning her glittering career will end without ever winning a World Cup trophy.

The 37-year-old is the top scorer in the history of the tournament with 17 goals and is also a six-time FIFA Player of the Year winner. For context, no other women’s player has won the award more than three times.

She’ll watch the rest of this match from the substitute bench, desperately hoping that her team can find a winning goal in the closing stages.

It’s still 0-0 between Brazil and Jamaica.

The South Americans have about 20 minutes to find a winner and earn qualification for the knockout stages, otherwise their World Cup campaign is over.

Jamaica, meanwhile, is very happy to sit deep and soak up the pressure of every Brazil attack. A draw is enough for the Reggae Girlz to qualify from this group alongside France.

Is the unlikely comeback on?

Élisa De Almeida clatters into the back of Riley Tanner and Panama is awarded a penalty of its own now.

Yomira Pinzón steps up and converts emphatically … but wait, the referee asks for it to be retaken for an infringement.

Pinzón retakes confidently and slots it into the bottom corner to reduce the game to a three-goal deficit.

After a long review from the video assistant referee (VAR), it is adjudged that a Panama defender handled the ball in the area.

Kadidiatou Diani steps up and completes her hat-trick in just 52 minutes; the third of the tournament.

5-1 to France!

In doing so, Diani becomes the first Frenchwoman to score a hat-trick at a World Cup, joining Just Fontaine and Kylian Mbappé as the only other French players to do so.

France begins the second half against Panama with a commanding 4-1 lead.

Les Bleues have pretty much sealed their ticket to the next round of the competition but will be looking to add more goals to their tally.

The second half has kicked off and both teams are looking for a breakthrough. As things stand, the result works for Jamaica, but Brazil needs to win to make it to the knockouts.

It’s going to be an interesting 45 minutes.

When Thembi Kgatlana slotted home in the 92nd minute and wheeled away to perform her now-famous snake-like celebration, the magnitude of the moment dawned on her.

Her second goal of the tournament had come at the opportune moment, sealing South Africa’s first ever qualification to the knockout phases of a Women’s World Cup.

However, for Kgatlana personally and for the rest of her teammates, it has not been an easy journey – facing personal loss and recovering from serious injuries – which left the 27-year-old “so emotional” with the victory.

“I’ve been in camp, pushing every day. I chose to be with this team, we’ve got a lot of criticism. But it’s football. It’s about who wants it the best,” Kgatlana said in her interview after the 3-2 win against Italy.

“Over the last three weeks, I’ve lost three family members. I could’ve went home, but I chose to stay with my girls because that’s how much it means. I’ve come back from a very brutal injury.

“For me, to be here to play for the country, to represent every single girl that wanted to be here, to make history with the girls for South Africa, everyone deserves it. It was a team effort. We might have messed the two (prior) games up, but this was something that I think we had to dig deep and, as you can see, the girls are happy. We’ve made history and I’ve very happy.”

The opening 45 minutes between France and Panama have come to an end and we’ve not been lacking in attacking action.

It first began with Marta Cox’s stunning free kick, but since then, France has hit back with four unanswered goals to take a commanding lead into the break.

As it stands, France will top Group F and book its spot in the last 16 of the tournament.

Just when Panama thought it had made it to the half-time break, France has a fourth!

Léa Le Garrec, who has been a constant thorn in the Panama defense’s side, swings in a cross from deep, missing all parties – goalkeeper included – and the ball flies into the back of the net to everyone’s surprise.

No goals at half-time, which means Jamaica is heading through to the knockout stages for the first time in its history as things stand.

Brazil has dominated possession so far but has nothing to show for its efforts beyond eight shots on goal, five of which have been on target. Barring a second-half turnaround, the South Americans are currently heading home.

The game didn’t start well, but Kadidiatou Diani’s second goal of the game has France well on its way to a win over Panama.

Referee Laura Fortunato pointed to the spot after a handball in the area from a Panama defender.

And Diani stepped up to rack up her brace to further strengthen the Europeans’ winning position.

Shortly after drawing itself level, France takes the lead through Kadidiatou Diani and is in firm control of its destiny.

Following some last ditch defending from Panama, the ball falls to the Paris Saint-Germain striker just a few yards out from goal and she lifts the ball into the roof of the net to put her team ahe.

Les Bleues are now firmly atop Group F and, as it stands, are heading through to the knockout stages of the tournament.

After conceding in the opening few minutes, France draws itself back level, 1-1.

As Les Bleues continued their assault on the Panama defense, Maëlle Lakrar wins a header went towards goal, only for Panama midfielder Deysiré Salazar to smash the ball into her own net to her horror.

France is back on top of Group F.

Earlier today, South Africa and Italy played arguably the game of the tournament so far, featuring end-to-end action, a bizarre own goal and a stoppage-time winner.

South Africa’s 3-2 victory saw the team finish second in Group G and reach the knockout stages for the first time ever thanks to Thembi Kgatlana’s late goal.

Italy, meanwhile, would have progressed in the tournament with a win or a draw, but instead goes home in heartbreaking fashion.

Catch up on all the drama from that game here.

Depending on how Brazil fares against Jamaica — needing a win to qualify for the knockout stages — this could be a final World Cup outing for the legendary Marta.

The 37-year-old, making her sixth and final World Cup appearance, is widely considered to be the greatest female footballer of all time.

Marta has won the FIFA Player of the Year award an unprecedented six times — no other women’s player has won it more than three times — including five years in a row from 2006 to 2010 and is Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer, male or female, with 115 goals.

She’s also the top scorer in the history of the Women’s World Cup with 17 goals.

But equally important has been Marta’s influence over a generation of young Brazilians, inspiring thousands to take up the game.

“She’s an icon,” Sissi, who played for Brazil in the 1990s, told CNN Sport. “She has been a mentor for a lot of kids.

“My generation, we did not have female players to look up to, so now to have players like her, especially with what she achieved and who she became, it’s very important. You already saw how much the game changed in Brazil. Now, people can say: ‘I want to be like Marta.’

“We have to enjoy her as much as we can … because I don’t think there will be another Marta, that’s for sure.”

Read more about Marta’s illustrious career and the legacy she will leave behind here.

What a way to score your first World Cup goal for Panama!

Having conceded an early free kick, Panama captain Marta Cox produces a moment of sheer brilliance, bending the ball into the top corner to give her side the lead early on.

Cox wheels away in celebration, breaking into tears as her teammates mob her.

We’ve kicked off in both Melbourne and Sydney where three teams have a chance to make the knockout stage.

France just needs a point to qualify against Panama, while Jamaica and Brazil are playing for high stakes: the Reggae Girlz need a draw or win to qualify for the knockout stage, while Brazil needs to win to ensure qualification.

We’re sure to have two great matches on our hands. Let’s go!

Brazil is coming out with its soccer superstar, Marta, in the starting 11 in its do-or-die match against Jamaica. The Seleção needs a win to qualify for the knockouts, meanwhile, a draw means the Reggae Girlz qualify for the round of 16 for the first time in their history.

Brazil starting 11:

Goalkeeper: Letícia

Defense: Antônia, Kathellen, Rafaelle, Tamires

Midfield: Luana, Adriana, Ary Borges, Kerolin

Forward: Debinha, Marta (captain)

Jamaica starting 11:

Goalkeeper: Rebecca Spencer

Defense: Chantelle Swaby, Deneisha Blackwood, Allyson Swaby, Tiernny Wiltshire

Midfield: Vyan Sampson, Drew Spence, Jody Brown, Atlanta Primus, Cheyna Matthews

Forward: Khadija Shaw (Captain)

Football has consumed much of Cedella Marley’s life. But perhaps that shouldn’t come as a surprise.

As the daughter of global reggae icon Bob Marley, who was a renowned lover of the Beautiful Game, Cedella was never far from a soccer ball growing up. Had he not been a musician, Cedella recalls her father telling her, he would have wanted to be a soccer player.

“Daddy played every day,” Marley told CNN Sport. “He would play anywhere he was: on the road, you’d find a field, you’d find a team.”

Though she has loved soccer for as long as she can remember, for many years, Marley’s involvement in the game didn’t extend beyond kickabouts with her father and brothers.

But that all changed in 2014 when one day her son came home from school and handed her a flier, saying that his soccer coach had asked him to deliver it to her.

“I’m reading it … I’m like: ‘Wait, Jamaica has a women’s football team? Where did this come from?” she said.

Six years earlier, in 2008, underfunding had led to the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) disbanding the women’s national team program. The flier Marley’s son brought home was a fundraising request from the JFF to help restart the program. Marley got to work almost immediately, calling the federation the following morning to ask what it needed.

Through a combination of the royalties earned from recording a song, a GoFundMe page and becoming an ambassador and sponsor of the women’s national team through the Bob Marley Foundation, Marley says they raised $300,000 in the first year.

The women’s team disbanded again in 2016, but Marley never wavered in her commitment to the program. In 2019, her efforts – and the work of countless others who were equally as dedicated to the cause – culminated in the women’s national team becoming the first Caribbean country to qualify for a Women’s World Cup.

Marley’s work has helped not only improve standards and conditions for players, but also helped shift the country’s attitude towards the women’s national team.

Read more here.

Jamaica’s “Reggae Girlz” are becoming accustomed to making history.

The team secured the country’s first ever Women’s World Cup point against France and then went one better by earning a first ever victory with a narrow 1-0 win over Panama.

If the team is to add another historic achievement to its resumé and reach the knockout stages of a World Cup — men’s or women’s — for the first time, it will need to avoid defeat against Brazil.

The team knows just a draw will be enough to progress to the round of 16 and will be boosted by the return of star striker Khadija Shaw, who was suspended for the win over Panama after picking up a late red card in the team’s opener.

Brazil, currently a point behind Jamaica, knows only a victory will suffice — As Canarinhas can technically still progress with a draw, but would simultaneously require the extraordinarily unlikely scenario of a Panama victory over France.

Brazil legend Marta, considered by most to be the greatest female footballer of all time, has only been used as a second-half substitute so far in Australia and New Zealand and it’s likely she will continue in that role moving forward.

The 37-year-old is playing in her sixth and final World Cup and a major title with Brazil is the only accomplishment missing from her glittering career.

Ary Borges, who scored a hat-trick for Brazil against Panama, is just one of a number of talented youngsters coming through the ranks that are tasked with a least partially filling Marta’s sizable shoes.

In Group F’s other match, France can secure top spot with a victory over already eliminated Panama.

France just needs a point in its match against Panama to qualify for the knockouts, but it will surely look to win to seal top spot in the group. Panama, meanwhile, is competing for pride and any points would be a great result for the nation.

Panama starting 11:

Goalkeeper: Yenith Bailey

Defense: Hilary Jaén, Wendy Natis, Yomira Pinzón, Emily Cedeño, Carina Baltrip-Reyes

Midfield: Deysiré Salazar, Riley Tanner, Carmen Montenegro, Aldrith Quintero

Forward: Marta Cox

France starting 11:

Goalkeeper: Pauline Peyraud-Magnin

Defense: Maëlle Lakrar, Élisa De Almeida, Estelle Cascarino, Ève Périsset

Midfield: Grace Geyoro (captain), Selma Bacha, Léa Le Garrec, Vicki Bècho

Forwards: Kadidiatou Diani, Clara Matéo

And breathe… As Group G comes to a frantic conclusion, here’s a quick look at the final standings.

Sweden topped the group with three wins and nine points, setting up an exciting round-of-16 game against the US.

South Africa, thanks to that stunning 3-2 victory against Italy, is heading into the knockout stages of a Women’s World Cup for the first time with four points and next face the Netherlands.

It’s heartbreak for Italy, which would have progressed with a draw, while Argentina, facing a mammoth task to advance out of the group, also bows out of the tournament.

Now, onto Group F’s games, where it’s Brazil vs. Jamaica and France vs. Panama.

They have the best celebrations at the tournament and Banyana Banyana will continue to have the opportunity to display them at the World Cup because South Africa is into the knockout stages thanks to its stunning 3-2 victory over Italy.

Thembi Kgatlana’s 92nd-minute winning goal saw Banyana Banyana qualify out of the group stage for the first time in the team’s history.

In a thrilling encounter with Italy, the game went back and forth with chances aplenty and a bizarre own goal, but in the end, the attacking verve of South Africa saw it progress to the knockouts.

South Africa will face the Netherlands in the last 16 as the African nation continues its magical time at the tournament.

Not a vintage performance from this excellent Sweden team, but the 2-0 victory against Argentina sees the Blue and Yellow top the group with a perfect three-from-three record.

That sets up a thrilling round-of-16 clash against the US, two teams ranked first and third in the FIFA rankings and both seen as pre-tournament favorites. Don’t miss that contest on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Argentina’s World Cup campaign has come to a disappointing end with defeats against Italy and Sweden and a draw against South Africa.

South Africa looks to have won it in the most dramatic of fashion!

Thembi Kgatlana caps off her impressive performance with a well-deserved goal, slotting home after some clever build-up play from Hildah Magaia.

With just a few minutes left, South Africa is on the brink of making history!

It’s hard to take in one moment and fully savor it before a new, even more exciting play takes place in this match between Italy and South Africa.

First, the Europeans have a glorious chance to win the game, but Cristiana Girelli’s close-range effort was somehow saved by Kaylin Swart before the ball was eventually cleared.

Then, moments later, South Africa comes close to getting its second fortuitous goal of the game as Francesca Durante almost falls into her own net with the ball in her hands.

Entertaining action from start to finish!

That’s surely victory wrapped up for Sweden now as Elin Rubensson scores from the penalty spot to make it 2-0.

It came after Gabriela Chavez brought Rebecka Blomqvist down in Argentina’s box and Rubensson confidently placed her penalty kick in the top-left corner.

The drama in Wellington continues as Italy equalizes almost immediately. What a game!

Arianna Caruso gets the final touch from a corner after Cristiana Girelli had flicked the ball on, and after a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) check for offside, the goal is given and its 2-2.

Now, Italy is going through at the expense of South Africa. Phew!

It’s been coming and South Africa now has the lead!

It’s once again Thembi Kgatlana at the heart of things, playing a delightful through ball to Hildah Magaia who smashes it home to give Banyana Banyana the advantage.

As it stands, South Africa is through to the knockout stage!

South Africa has begun the second half much stronger than its opponent, coming forward in waves of attacks as it searches for its second goal of the game.

Captain Thembi Kgatlana has been at the heart of much of the team’s best offensive moves as the Italy defense struggle to contain her dribbling creativity.

We remain 1-1 with just under half an hour to go.

We finally have a breakthrough in this game as Sweden takes the lead with a well-worked goal.

Sofia Jakobsson has space on the right wing and puts in a brilliant cross to Rebecka Blomqvist, who heads into the back of the net on 66 minutes.

That goal, coupled with South Africa’s 2-1 lead against Italy in the other game in this group, means Argentina’s World Cup campaign is close to coming to an end.

The second half has kicked off in Hamilton. Here’s hoping for some goals over the course of the next 45 minutes.

A massive 45 minutes are ahead of South Africa and Italy with a spot in the Women’s World Cup knockout stage on the line.

More of the same from the first half, please.

Failure to defeat Portugal and top Group E on Tuesday has seen the US lose its tag as the favorite to win the World Cup, according to sports data group Gracenote.

As things stand, the US will face Sweden in the round of 16 on Sunday, pitting FIFA’s first and third-ranked teams in the world against each other.

On the other side of the draw, England potentially has the most favorable run to the title and will not face any of the top seven-ranked teams in the world before the semifinals at the earliest.

As a result, the European champion now has a 17% chance of winning the the tournament, Gracenote forecasts, ahead of the US (15%), Sweden (11%), the Netherlands and host Australia (both 9%).

The US was a post width away from exiting the Women’s World Cup at the group stage, but survived a late scare to earn a goalless draw against Portugal and reach the last 16.

With the game hanging in the balance, substitute Ana Capeta had a glorious chance to earn Portugal a famous win in the closing stages, but her effort struck the post with goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher completely helpless.

Defeat for the US – a team aiming for a third consecutive world title – would have ended its participation in the tournament. 

The Netherlands’ 7-0 win over Vietnam means the Dutch finish top of Group E on seven points, two ahead of a US team which will now likely play Sweden next on Sunday. It is the first time in the history of the competition that the US has won just one group stage match.

“In the last few minutes we just had to hold it down – we had to get the result and move on.”

Morgan admitted the team had been below its best so far in Australia and New Zealand, “but we’re looking forward to working on the improvements that we need to make and looking at the next round,” she added.

And breathe…

An action-packed opening half comes to an end between South Africa and Italy, with the scores level 1-1.

It’s been captivating watching with both teams having plenty of opportunities and Group G remains finely balanced with both games level.

We should be in for a treat in the second 45 minutes.

While the other match of Group G’s final round of fixtures is end-to-end action with some goals, Sweden and Argentina come to half-time goalless with only five shots in total taken between the two sides.

Sweden doesn’t have to do anything as it stands to end up as group winner, although the Blue and Yellow are set to face the US in the round of 16 on Sunday if things remain as they are.

Let’s see what the second half brings.

Just seconds after gifting South Africa a route back into the game, Italy is almost back in front.

Chiara Beccari’s glancing header from close-range from a corner kick almost skids in but just bounces away to safety for Banyana Banyana.

This is a breathless opening 45 minutes in Wellington.

South Africa is back level in the most bizarre fashion!

Benedetta Orsi, thinking she was passing the ball back to her goalkeeper, inadvertently passes the ball into her own net and notches the own goal.

Orsi looks devastated, but South Africa won’t be complaining with its fortuitous equalizer!

South Africa comes within a whisker of an equalizer, and what a goal it would have been!

A half-volley from the edge of the box from Robyn Moodaly strikes the Italy post, with Francesca Durante left stranded, and almost brings Banyana Banyana its first World Cup goal to go level with Italy.

Still 1-0 to Italy…

We’ve got our first action of the day – an early opportunity for Italy from the spot…

And Arianna Caruso makes no mistake, tucking the ball home in the bottom left of the goal to give Italy the lead.

Le Azzurre have one foot in the last 16 as things stand, but we’ve got a lot of football ahead.

Sweden is already through to the knockout stages, but there is plenty on the line for Italy, South Africa and Argentina.

The 90 minutes will decide whose World Cup journey is over, and whose is only just beginning…

Argentina starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Vanina Correa (captain)

Defense: Sophia Braun, Julieta Cruz, Eliana Stábile, Adriana Sachs

Midfield: Aldana Cometti, Romina Núñez, Florencia Bonsegundo, Camila Gómez Ares, Estefanía Banini

Forward: Mariana Larroquette

Sweden starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Jennifer Falk

Defense: Stina Lennartsson, Anna Sandberg, Magdalena Eriksson, Amanda Ilestedt,

Midfield: Madelen Janogy, Sofia Jakobsson, Caroline Seger (captain), Hanna Bennison, Olivia Schough

Forward: Rebecka Blomqvist

South Africa starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Kaylin Swart

Defense: Bongeka Gamede, Noko Matlou, Bambanani Mbane

Midfield: Lebohang Ramalepe, Karabo Dhlamini, Linda Motlhalo, Robyn Moodaly

Forwards: Hildah Magaia (captain), Thembi Kgatlana, Jermaine Seoposenwe

Italy starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Francesca Durante

Defense: Benedetta Orsi, Lucia Di Guglielmo, Elena Linari, Lisa Boattin

Midfield: Manuela Giugliano (captain), Barbara Bonansea, Chiara Beccari, Giulia Dragoni, Arianna Caruso

Forward: Valentina Giacinti 

One year ago, the South Africa women’s national soccer team was crowned queen of the continent as it defeated Morocco in front of 50,000 fans in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final.

The team is now making its second appearance at the Women’s World Cup, but 30 years ago, “Banyana Banyana” was playing its first ever match as a nation emerging from apartheid.

The system of racial classification and segregation beginning in the 1940s — led by the descendants of European settlers known as Afrikaners — formally oppressed the non-White population, forcing them to live and exist separately from White South Africans. The system would only come to an end in the 1990s, ushering a new era for the “Rainbow Nation.”

In 1993, far from the glitz and glamour of the World Cup, South Africa’s inaugural game was played against neighbor Swaziland (now Eswatini) at a community soccer pitch in a Johannesburg suburb in front of a sparse crowd — even the most basic facilities were seen as a luxury to the team.

“We had changing rooms, that was quite an experience,” backroom team manager Dara Carroll tells CNN Sport. “We had never had changing rooms where we played. We changed behind stands or wherever we could.”

On that day, South Africa romped to a 14-0 victory over Swaziland, marking the beginning of a journey filled with challenges and trials, but one which would end with continental glory and the ultimate prize of playing at the World Cup.

Read the full story here.

Group G leader Sweden is already through to the last 16 and only needs a draw against Argentina to guarantee top spot in the group.

But all four teams in the group still hold hopes of advancing to the knockout stages.

Here’s what they need to happen:

South Africa vs Italy and Argentina vs Sweden kick off at 3 a.m. ET

Group F leader France will qualify for the last 16 with a win or a draw against Panama and victory will guarantee top spot as long as it matches or betters Jamaica’s result.

Following its two earlier defeats, bottom side Panama cannot progress to the knockout round, whatever the result today.

In the other Group F game:

Jamaica vs Brazil and Panama vs France kick off at 6 a.m. ET.

In the US, matches will air on your local Fox channel. You can also stream matches by signing in with your TV provider at foxsports.com or on the Fox Sports app. Telemundo and Peacock are providing Spanish-language coverage.

Seven Network and Optus Sport are broadcasting matches in Australia and the BBC and ITV have the rights in the United Kingdom.

A full breakdown of media rights holders in each country is available on the FIFA website.

Here’s the teams in action today:

Group G (3 a.m. ET)

Group F (6 a.m. ET)

Group G and Group F pitted some of the powerhouses of women’s football against upstart teams looking to make their mark at this year’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Here’s a recap of some of the notable results in these groups so far:

The defending world champions from the United States limped to the knockouts following a tense 0-0 draw with Portugal on Tuesday.

The reigning champion looked slow and sloppy and will need to drastically improve if it’s to win a third consecutive title in Australia and New Zealand.

Tuesday was an action-packed day Down Under — here’s everything that happened:

The two-time reigning World Cup champion has made it to the round of 16. But what seemed like an inevitability at the start of the tournament was hugely in doubt until the final whistle of Thursday’s final group stage match.

Although the Americans clinched their spot in the knockout rounds with a 0-0 draw against Portugal, even US coach Vlatko Andonovski acknowledged the team “did not play well.”

That’s an understatement, given the US came within inches of being knocked out of the tournament altogether. Portugal was unlucky not to shock the world, with a shot deflecting off the post in the last few minutes of the game.

After the game, two-time World Cup winner and former US star Carli Lloyd even said, “The player of the match was that post,” adding that her former teammates are “lucky to not be going home right now.”

Though the team has pushed back against any comparisons to previous squads, it’s hard to deny, based on results, that the US squad which has shown up to this year’s tournament is a far cry from the one that left Paris victorious in 2019.

So what happens now? But looking ahead at the round of 16, veteran US forward Alex Morgan doesn’t think the team needs to make a big adjustment, other than “being a little more ruthless.”

“You know, I feel like it’s taking advantage of the chances that we have. We created — we created enough to put the ball in the back of the net,” Morgan said after the draw against Portugal. 

While that may be true, the fact remains that the US did not convert many of its chances, resulting in its lowest ever group stage point haul. The team has failed to win its group for the first time since 2011 — and for only the second time in World Cup history. The US now exits the group behind the Netherlands, whose dominant 7-0 win against Vietnam resembled more of what many expected from the US in this tournament.